Data System to End Violence Against Children

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The Kenya government has launched the Child Protection Management system. The web based data system which was developed by the department of children services of Kenya (DCS) with an aim to collect, aggregate and report on child protection data.

In a country where it is estimated that 54.4% of Kenya’s population is below the age of 18 years, high number of violence against children. The Kenyan government entrenched rights of the child under Article 53 of Bill of Rights including the right to be protected from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices, all forms of violence, inhuman treatment and punishment, and hazardous or exploitative labour in The 2010, Kenyan Constitution.

However despite of this strong framework Kenyan children are still being violated, with 40% of children having experienced some form of violence. Lack of validated and reliable data has been cited to be one of the major gaps in ending violence against children. To fill up the gap the government through the support from Measure Pima a project of USAID Kenya has developed an integrated system of data collection and management. The Child Protection Management system aims

system that can easily capture, store and retrieve information quickly and efficiently

To enhance the quality of child protection data collected and reported

To enrich Case management of child protection cases.

Establish a national standard on child protection data collection, analysis and reporting for children officers and other organizations working with Children

Strengthen partnership and linkage among child protection practitioners and other related players both governmental and non-governmental

The system is built to capture data such as children bio data, type of abuse , organizations, services and social workforce. The system has been able to provide complete case management system, Making all information can be captured both on paper and in computer, Assist in the identification of the needs of each child and application of individual treatment plans, Help in preparation of detailed reports, lists and statistics which will be automated, Provides an unlimited archive , which makes follow-up and tracing of cases very easy.

This will has in turn improved targeted interventions to end violence against children, through Easy exchange of information (without necessarily using paper). Harmonization of information among all organizations working with children will make analysis of data collected very easy and less time consuming. This will result to improved planning, implementation and monitoring of child protection programmes with availability of reliable and accurate and timely data.

In addition the effective implementation of CPIMS will enhance the visibility of child protection issues through regular information sharing and publication locally and internationally. This will result to attitude, policy and program change among private, public and corporate sphere towards violence against children.

CPIMS was rolled out In July 2016 in eleven counties majorly Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu, Muranga, Homabay, Kilifi, Machakos, Migori, Kakamega and Siaya all were supported by USAID while Kwale was supported by PLAN.

Between the month of July 2016 and March 2017, there was a total of 20,968 children involving 21,492 cases had been recorded hence average monthly case load is 2,500 children/cases in CPIMS.The top three cases reported were neglect 54%, Custody 17% and abandoned children 5%.Nearly Half of all children supported were aged below 5 years making them the most vulnerable group

Data from the CPIMS as per 31st March, 2017

CPIMS will be rolling out it services to additional sixteen counties in the next six months, the government has committed to fully support roll out in Kisii and Baringo in the current financial year while UNICEF will support roll out in nine counties which are Mombasa, Tana River,Garissa,Marsabit,Isiolo,Turkana,west Pokot,Samburu and Kajiado counties.

The launch of CPIMS took place on 9th may 2017, with the theme ‘Quality Data For ChildProtection’ the event was held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) was graced by the Principal Secretary Susan Mochache among other stakeholders.

Addressing the guests and key stakeholders, Principal Secretary Susan Mochache reading Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie’s speech in absentia said ‘The CPIMS system adequately meets the data requirements of the government while ensuring ease of use, adoption and up scaling.it is a hybrid system that does both case management and aggregate child protection data at both national county and sub-county levels. This system also has the capacity to monitor services provided to a specific child from all state and non-state child protection actors.’’

In her speech the Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie said, ‘As we launch this phase of the CPIMS therefore the ministry is keen to ensure its sustainability towards this end. We have allocated KSH 1.1 Million to facilitate the roll out of the system to an additional two counties in the current financial year.’’

In conclusion the cabinet secretary said that her ministry is committed to successful functioning of the system and they are ready to collaborate with other like minded partners in the roll out to the remaining counties by the end of 2017-2018 financial year.

Kevin is reporter with Mtoto News

Mtoto News is an online platform of news, information and resources that aims at making significant change in the lives of children by making them visible. Read mtotonews.com or follow us on twitter and Facebook @mtotonews

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An online Platform on news, information and resources on children, that aims at making significant change in the lives of children by making them visible in the political, development, social and corporate discourse.
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